Table game



SePt' 26, 1961 G. K. A'rwooD 3,001,791

TABLE GAME Filed Jan. 4, 1960 F/G. l /0 INVENTOR. S K. TW

United States Patent G Filed Jan. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 449' 1 Claim. (Cl. 273-30) This invention is a oontinuation-in-part of my earlier application 734,149 filed May 9, 1958, now abandoned and relates to i-mprovements in table games and more particularly to the popular game known as table tennis.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary factor in the playing of table tennis wherein an opponent attempts in his delivery or return of the usual table tennis Sphere to enter a recess or pocket on the receivefs end of the table, thus precluding the receiver from returning the ball and 'alfording the deliverer Some score.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improvement on the game of table tennis, to the extent that the table is provided with pockets, one at each end, or several at each end if desired, so that the player returning a ball during a game or upon delivery will have an opportunity to score and prevent redelivery by his opponent.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved table tennis apparatus, for playing a game improved to the above extent, without materially increasing the cost of conventional apparatus.

These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the irnproved table with a portion, at one corner broken away.

tIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the improved ta le.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view showing a section of the table about to be collapsed for storage. l

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view of the improved table supported by saw horses.

While my invention is adapted to be used with any type or Shape of game equipment following the principles of the well-known game of table tennis, it is most conveniently adapted to the conventional form of equipment sold widely for use in table tennis, which provides a rectangular table divided along the small axis by a Vertical barrier, such as a net.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral generally refers to the playing 'table top, which is divided into Sections 11, 12, the top proper preferably being of plyboard and suitably secured to frames 13. As is indicated by the drawings, the table tennis table used in this invention may be of conventional design, except for the improvement of this invention, in that the playing surface provided by Sections 11 and 12 is a continuouslyl flat planar table free 'from barriers at the outer edges so that there is no obstacle forming part of the table to prevent a table tennis ball rolling or bouncing near an outer edge from rolling or bouncing off the table.

The sections 11, 12 can be of conventional construction and supported by the usual card table folding type legs 14, such as are shown in FIGURE 2 and also in FIGURE 3, or the table top can be supported by saw horsesv 15, a pair of which can be placed under each section, if desired. The Sections 11, 12 can be connected together, if desired by any means, and a net 16 of conventional design and provided with the usual clamps 17 can be employed across the total table top 10 at the medial thereof as Suggested in FIGURE 2. As is clearly shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, the net 16 is 'a Vertical "ice barrier whose lower edge is spaced from the .playing surface provided by Sections 11 and 12 by a distance at most less than the diameter of 'a table tennis ball. This is conventional in table tennis equipment to prevent the ball from passing freely under the barrier. The barrier net may actually touch the playing surface but this is not necessary to accomplish its purpose so long as the space between the barrier and the playing surface is small enough to prevent easy passage of the ball.

The principal factor in this invention is the formation of openings 18, 19, these openings being located near the opponentis edges of the Sections 11, 12. As shown in FIGURE l, the openings are substantially larger than the table tennis ball to permit the ball to pass easily through the opening when approaching it in a non-vertical line of flight. Subject to this requrement the exact relation of the Size of the opening to the size of the table tennis ball is not critical, it being understood that the hole should not be made so large as to' change essentially the nature of the table tennis game for which the improved equipment is intended by making it too easy to drive the ball into the opening. The exact location of the openings 18 and 19 is not critical although it is preferred that they be located symmetrically in Sections 11 and 12 So as to present the same conditions to each player. When using only one opening in each of sections 11 and 12 it is preferred to locate them on the long axis of the playing surface. The number of openings in each of Sections 11 and 12 is not critical although the openings should not be multiplied to the extent that they alter the essential character of the table tennis game. Preferably no more than two openings in each of sections 11 and 12 should be employed. AS shown in FIGURE 1, openings 18 and 19 are spaced apart from the outer edges of the playing surface so as to provide on all sides a substantial playing area whereby there is ample opportunity for a ball driven to the playing surface near the opening to bounce in a position to be played by the receiver. The opening is located preferably in that part of the playing surface in which most balls are normally driven, that is, the area near the players edge, as clearly shown in FIGURE 1. A Satisfactory location is onefourth the distance from the player's edge to the net, as |provided in FIGURE 1. While it is not necessary to the invention, it is convenient to have means for catching any ball .passing through the opening and holding it for easy retrieval. Attached to the Sections 11, 12 and underlying these openings 18, 19 are mesh pockets 20 for catching table tennis balls accurately delivered by the players.

FIGURE 2 Shows a table tennis paddle 21 with a ball 23 in the act of being stroked onto the table top 10. In the game 'of table tennis, it is required that the ball bounce on the delivereris Side of the net before the ball can be returned 'by the opponent, it must bounce on the far side of the net and these points are designated respectively as 24 and 25.

Should the ball 23 pass into for instance the opening 18, fall within the pocket 20, then the opponent would not be able to return the ball.

The deliverer would score on this target placement of the ball into the opponentis pocket 20.

While the foregoing description sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the Shape, size and materials .may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new A table for a table tennis game including the use of a table tennis ball and paddles comprising a continuously flat planar rectangular playing surface having barrier-free edges, a demarcated transverse area extending along thev 16 and thenv small axis of said playing surface and dividing said surface into two playing areas and adapted to locate a Vertical barrier member extending substantially across said playing surface and dividing it into two substantially equal playing areas, said Vertical barrier member having a lower boundary edge separated from said playing surface by a distance at most less than the diarneter of said table tenns ball, and each of said playing areas being provided with an opening substantially larger than the cross-sectonal area of said table tennis ball and located on the long axis of said rectangular playing surface at 5 of said game.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Markey Inne 23, 1942 Parikos Nov. 4, 1958 

